I agree with you, which is why that thread shoul die because if it goes long enough it will get uglier. I have a definite disagreement with prosario's view of scripture and after looking at his web site a lot of his doctrinal positions I find hard to justify. BUT, I do not want our differences to stop us from being able to cooperate on FOSS work that has nothing to do with our religious or philosophical persuasions. These sort of tertiary discussions really don't do anything to further the 'cause' and only help to create division.

When it comes to religious matters regarding doctrine and those sorts of things I, believe it or not, am much more tolerant than some of my classmates here at the seminary. I see the value of erroneous, in my understanding of things, views as a tool to help us sharpen our own views and positions and better identify where we stand. Unfortunately the discussion of divergent views is not well recieved in many classes, even if just for the sake of discussion.

We might however still get into some dangerous areas if we start debating RMS' and ESR's work as fervently as we have debated Biblical positions. Perhaps understanding and acceptance would be better terms since 'tolernace' has become so loaded, especially in American religious discussions.

Indeed. Tolerance or understanding and acceptance is crucial principle to go by in every discussion that shows clear disagreements between those who discuss. Not every discussion and conversation must lead to agreement or even compromise. Sometimes it may be a complete disagreement, but once we see that we cannot persuade other person we should know to quit and accept the fact that the other party has a different view even if we don't agree or even understand it. As much as it is good when people agree on things it is good to allow for any eventual disagreement which is a freedom in itself (free to disagree) and be ready to cooperate in the fields we DO agree on.

Thx
Dan

Well put. That last bit is the important part, we shouldn't allow our disagreements to hinder us from being able to cooperate on the areas of common ground. This is something that is lost on many, we are too ready to part ways completely at the slightest hint of disunity and what a shame that is.

I completely agree on this (I consider myself very tolerant) and I even like this diversity of thoughts and views on certain matters. This difference in views is what creates discussions, and tolerance is what keeps these discussions constructive.

Exactly, it would be very bad thing to let disagreements to have bad effect on cooperation, and having lots of very different people working together on a common cause just proves the importance of their cause and how fundamental it is.